Legendary actor Asha Parekh turns 70 on October 2. We wish the beautiful and big-hearted lady a very happy and fun-filled birthday!

In Bollywood, the month of October is considered special, most importantly because it marks the birthday of two iconic Bollywood stars – Amitabh Bachchan (Oct 11) and Rekha (Oct 10). Though for cinema lovers and fans of these two stars their undying love and affection could just be limited to their favourite films, we at BollywoodLife couldn’t resist the excitement of wishing one of the equally successful and popular actress of her time, living legend Asha Parekh a very happy birthday today.

Born in a Gujarati middle-class family on October 2, 1942, Asha nurtured the asha (wish) to become an actress since childhood. Having started her career as a child artiste, she graduated to become an actress of repute. After her days as a leading lady came to an end, she decided to try her hand at television production and was successful at it. She was nominated as the first female chairperson of the Censor Board of Film Certification (censor board).

The actress was recently seen on the popular singing reality show Indian Idol, as a special guest. Remember – she also shook a leg with Anu Malik on stage? We truly sympathise with you Ashaji, but aaj kal TRP aur promotions ke liye kuch bhi karna padta hain! Also, beginning this year, she was honoured at the 7th Apsara Awards by the jury who decided to dedicate a special segment to legends like Dilip Kumar, Saira Banu, Rajesh Khanna, Hema Malini, Vinod Khanna and of course Asha, for their valuable contribution to Hindi cinema.

In her four decade-long career, Asha has worked with the best actors, from Rajesh Khanna to Shammi Kapoor, Jeetendra to Amitabh Bachchan. She has immortalised popular characters in films like Dil Deke Dekho, Kati Patang, Pagla Kahin Ka,Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki, Teesri Manzil, Love in Tokyo and other memorable productions.

As she enters her 70th year, we hope Asha, who’s also known for charity services through a hospital named after her, continues to shine with her good deeds and undying support to the needy. Why not – after all, she shares her birthday with the father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi, so naturally good things will follow her path. All our good wishes are with you, Ashaji!

Think Shammi Kapoor and you are bound to think of his dances. For an actor who didn’t study dance formally, that’s quite an achievement, isn’t it?

He has done a jig in his last appearance too – in grand nephew Ranbir Kapoor’s Rockstar. Ranbir may play the title role in the film, but for us it is Shammi who will always be the true rockstar. Hey, he wasn’t known as the Elvis Presley of India for nothing! We list five of his dances that are our favourites. Are they his best? We don’t know, but as we said, they are the ones we love the most.

The Superstar says he is a big fan of the veteran actor, who passed away August 14

Rajinikanth offered his condolences over the death of Bollywood actor Shammi Kapoor, in a statement. He said, “I am a great admirer and a huge fan of Shammiji. His energy on screen is a treat to watch and I have loved every bit of it. His demise is a huge loss to the film industry and fraternity and mainly to his millions of fans. I convey my heartfelt condolences to all in his family. O mere sona… you will always live in our hearts.”

Veteran actor Shammi Kapoor died of renal failure in Mumbai on August 14, 2011. He was 79.

The veteran who passed away this morning received a number of prestigious awards

Shammi Kapoor was perhaps identified by his peppy, Westernised manner in various roles. And the audiences lapped it up. For the many films that he was part of, he received a number of reputed awards, mainly for his lifetime of achievement in films. These included:

· 1962 – Filmfare Best Actor nomination for Professor

· 1968 – Filmfare Best Actor Award for Brahmachari

· 1982 – Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Vidhaata

· 1995 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award

· 1998 – Kalakar Awards – Special Award for “contribution in Indian Cinema”

· 1999 – Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement

· 2001 – Star Screen Lifetime Achievement Award

· 2001 – Anandalok Awards Lifetime Achievement Award

· 2002 – IIFA – Invaluable Contribution To Indian Cinema at the IIFA

· 2005 – Bollywood Movie Awards – Lifetime Achievement Award

· 2008 – Pune International Film Festival – Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Indian cinema

· 2009 – Phalke Legend Actor Award from the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy

· 2005 – Living Legend Award from the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Indian entertainment industry.

The veteran actor passed away early morning August 14

Shammi Kapoor, who had been suffering from chronic renal failure, passed away at 5.15am on Sunday in a Mumbai hospital. He was 79 years old. Shammi had been on dialysis for the past few years, but his condition had further deteriorated in the past week and he had been placed on ventilator support.

Shamsher ‘Shammi’ Raj Kapoor started his film career in 1948, as a junior artiste, making a salary of Rs 150 a month. At the time, he was already part of his father Prithviraj Kapoor’s theatrical company, Prithvi Theatres. In 1953, he made his debut as an actor with Jeevan Jyoti, co-starring Chand Usmani and directed by Mahesh Kaul. Though he wanted to be a serious actor, the audience wanted something else from him – a something else that he delivered in spades with Nasir Husain’s Tumsa Nahin Dekha in 1957, co-starring Ameeta. Dil Deke Dekho (1959) with Asha Parekh established Shammi’s new image, as a stylish, Westernised, light-hearted playboy, an image that fit his tall, athletic, lively, fair complexioned, green-eyed handsomeness perfectly. Junglee with Saira Banu in 1961 cemented that picture of the actor in Hindi films. Teesri Manzil, Professor, Char Dil Char Rahen, Raat Ke Raahi, Dil Tera Diwana, Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya, ChinaTown, Kashmir Ki Kali, Bluff Master, Janwar, Rajkumar and Bramhachari. But by the 1970s he had gained weight and that brought an end to his career as a romantic hero. One of his last roles as a dashing, debonair man-of-the-world was in Andaz, in 1971, but he continued working as a character actor in films like Zameer, Hero and Vidhaata. He made two films as a director – Manoranjan, in 1974 starring Zeenat Aman, Bandalbaaz in 1976, neither too successful. He made an appearance as an actor in the 2006 flop film, Sandwich, and had been shooting for Rockstar, directed by Imtiaz Ali and starring Ranbir Kapoor.

When he passed away, Shammi Kapoor was ready to star in his grand nephew Ranbir Kapoor’s upcoming film, Rockstar. That was just the latest in an impressive list of 136 films. Here’s the list of his contributions to Bollywood:

A shadow of gloom cast over the Hindi film industry as news of veteran actor Shammi Kapoor’s death spread on Sunday morning

“It is a terrible shock. Shammi Kapoor was a wonderful human being. He is eternal,” said Kapoor’s long-time co-star Saira Banu.

“Shammi ji … An entire life full of optimism and happy spirit, caring loving to all … Now suddenly silent,” tweeted actor Amitabh Bachchan.

Actor Hema Malini said, “A very sad day for the Hindi film industry.The film fraternity has lost one of the most loved actors and a much adored human being today, Shammiji. I had the most wonderful opportunity to work with him in the films – Andaz and Meera. He was a livewire on and off the sets. So enthusiastic about his work and very dedicated to giving his best, Shammiji‘s power-packed performances touched people’s hearts and his high level of energy was not limited to acting. His presence anywhere drew attention. Although he was at the end of his career when I acted with him in Andaz, I was simply amazed at the way he performed the number, Dil, use do jo jaan dede, jaan….”

“The beloved Shri.Shammi Kapoor will be forever in the hearts and minds of every actor and film enthusiast as today marks the end of a youthful era,” Malini tweeted.

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt said: “The narrative of Shammi Kapoor will not end with his passing away. His movies will continue to enchant the future generations!”

Actor Anupam Kher tweeted: “Shammi Kapoor ji was one of d 1st Youth Icons from Cinema. He liberated actors from being stereo types. Will miss his STYLE and SUBSTANCE.”

“Mr. Shammi Kapoor. Never before – Never again. Thank you for the wonderful cinematic memories and life lessons. RIP,” posted actor-director Farhan Akhtar on micro-blogging site Twitter.

Filmmaker Karan Johar said: “One of finest and strongest men I knew…we will truly miss you shammi uncle….RIP….”

“Gonna miss @shamsheraj. Teesri Manzil changed the thought of cinema-a suspense thriller with the greatest music! His each take was flawless! There’s never gonna be someone as magical as him on screen! Its a personal loss. He inspired my music a lot. The Elvis on India,” said singer Shweta Pandit. “Shammi Kapoor directed his last film Bandalbaaz (1976) with Rajesh Khanna and my aunt Sulakshana Pandit,” she tweeted.

Actor Priyanka Chopra said: “Sometimes no amount of kind words can compensate for a loss! bhole baba ki jai shammi maharajji.. he was our guruji..im at a loss.”

“He was an inspiration not just for his style and the films he did,but also his attitude towards life…we will miss you Shammi uncle…#RIP,” tweeted actor Deepika Padukone.

True to the ‘T’, Shammi Kapoor described himself on Twitter as ‘Renaissance man, retired actor and computer buff’. Excerpts from a recent interview:

What’s the best thing of being in the Indian film industry for over five decades?

The most wonderful thing about the films of my times was the innocence. Those were happy movies…hero meets heroine, chases her, used to sing 7-8 songs for fasao-ing (impressing) her, then last mein Pranji ki tarah ek villain bhi aa jayenge. The hero has a climax fight with Pran to save the heroine. And at the end, the lovers are united. I belong to the era when films were simple, they didn’t tax your brains. At least, my films were not thought-provoking, they were hardcore entertainers.

Mohammad Rafi sang most of your hit songs…

Rafisaab was my voice. After his death, I lost my voice. I cried like hell. He had a great sense of humour. Generally, I used to be present at the recordings of all my songs. I always requested him to sing the songs with the nuances that I will portray on the screen. He used to happily oblige. And after the recording, when I listened to the songs, I wondered how he could sing exactly the way I wished him to!

You never asked him (Rafi) how he could feel your pulse?

Yes. I did. Remember the song Aasman se aaya farishta from Kashmir Ki Kali? I was not present at the recording of that song. After listening to the song, I asked him, “Main toh wahan tha nahin, so how could you get the exact nuances that I planned to perform on screen?” He said, “I just fantasized how Shammi Kapoor will sing and perform this song. If he is Shammi Kapoor, then at one moment he will jump from here and then take a dive from there.”

You had your unique style of dancing…

I never learnt how to dance; never had a dance master. When I was 18-19 years old, I joined a dancing school in Dadar to learn tango. They used to charge Rs 20 for an hour. After spending Rs 100, I realised that I hadn’t learnt anything. But I always gave expressions as required to my songs.

You once said you used to forget your dialogues when you saw Madhubala. True?

Absolutely true. There was this film Rail Ka Dibba (1953). Madhubala was my heroine. She was so beautiful and I was a new hero, hardly 20 years old. I used to forget my dialogues seeing her and she used to help me out.

Can you pick one film that will remain unforgettable for you?

I will never forget Teesri Manzil…it was during the shooting of the film, I suffered the saddest moment of my life. I lost my wife (Geeta Bali) in 1965. I was shattered, but had to continue shooting. She was there before Teesri Manzil’s shooting started. She was very happy that I was offered the film. She said she wants to see my contribution in the film. I could not digest that fact that she was no longer there.

What made the eternal lover boy of Indian cinema so computer savvy even before the Internet wave hit India?

I discovered Internet before you got Internet in India. You got in 1995…VSNL. I took it up as a hobby. I am on Apple and they gave us a website called eWorld. The British telecom gave us a line through VSNL, even though VSNL was not available at that time (1994). That was an eye-opener…something completely new. And by the time Internet came to India, we were already first-marchers…already sab kuch dekh liya tha.

You have all the latest gadgets (including iPad). You are on Facebook, Twitter, maintain your own website…

I go to the hospital thrice a week for dialysis for the last seven years. There are millions of well-wishers who pray for me, bless me so that I remain healthy and return home safe. Believe me, Internet is the best medium to connect with lost friends. I had a very dear friend Afzal in Pakistan. It shocked me completely when I received his email one day after 50 years! The machine (computer) did another good for me…

That was?

The moment the mouse came in my hand, the cigarette flew away… permanently.

Twitter is flooded with messages remembering the veteran actor who passed away on August 14

Amitabh Bachchan:

Shammi Kapoor ji passed away this morning at 5:15 am .. Rushing there now .. the flamboyance and joi de verve of the Industry lost !

Priyanka Chopra:

sometimes no amount of kind words can compensate for a loss! bhole baba ki jai shammi maharajji.. he was our guruji..im at a loss.. nothing will ever fill the void u have left @shamsheraj . im sorry i didnt try RESSEE.. but wil do.. only for u.. R.I.P

Karan Johar:

One of finest and strongest men I knew…we will truly miss you shammi uncle….RIP….

Anurag Kashyap:

All indian netizens should mourn today.Pioneer of internet&the first president of internet soc of ind in the 80′s Shammi Kapoor passed away.

Sujoy Ghosh:

in honor and respect of Shammi Kapoor. Legends don’t die. You will remain in us.

Neil Nitin Mukesh:

An evergreen actor. An inspiration to a million. Dance moves you can’t match up to. Shammi uncle RIP. Will miss you gizmo guru.

Neha Dhupia:

RIP Shammi kapoor ji … Ur magic will always be remembered !

Shruti Haasan:

RIP shammi kapoor.. Thankyou for the memories..

Raveena Tandon:

Oh my god! Just read that shammi uncle no more! The answer to the mills n boon hero!Shammi Kapoor,have adored him since I was a child

Manish Malhotra:

Mr:shammi kapoor s great style will be always remembered and missed

Hansal Mehta:

I attended a session with Shammi Kapoor on dBase a database mgmt software in 1989. I used this package to write most of my software packages

Gaurav Kapur:

U made us smile, u made us dance. RIP Shammi Kapoor, thank u for all the joy.

Yudhishtar Urs:

A burst of energy,charm & undeniable style, he was the superstar 4all the right reason & will continue 2be in r memories! Rip shammi Kapoor

Shweta Pandit:

one of the saddest days for me, Shammi Kapoor passes away! had tweeted about him just a few days ago, sayin he was my biggest Kapoor crush.

Vishal Dadlani:

Mr. Shammi Kapoor, RIP. You danced like nobody was watching.

Shekhar Ravjiani:

RIP Mr Shammi Kapoor. The most coolest actor on Indian screen. Will be remembered for ever and ever.